Direct conversion of human fibroblasts to multilineage blood progenitors

Similar to embryo-derived stem cells, application of human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) is limited by our understanding of lineage specification. Here, we demonstrate the ability to generate progenitors and mature cells of the hematopoietic fate directly from human dermal fibroblasts without establishing pluripotency. POU domain activation of hematopoietic transcription factors by ectopic expression of Oct-4, together with specific cytokine treatment, allowed generation of cells expressing the pan-leukocyte marker CD45. These unique fibroblast-derived cells gave rise to granulocytic, monocytic, megakaryocytic, and

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Szabo E, Rampalli S, Risueño RM, Schnerch A, Mitchell R, Fiebig-Comyn A, Levadoux-Martin M, Bhatia M